Moolelo Performing Arts Company

Nonprofit Issues:

Arts & Culture

Address:

PO Box 710564 San DiegoCA92171USA

Mission:

We seek to broaden the scope of San Diego's cultural environment by offering professional, socially-conscious theatre that provides a voice for diverse and underrepresented communities, aesthetics, and issues on stage; generates participation and dialogue between local communities; and creates paid employment for local theatre artists. Our commitment to paying artists union-level wages reflects our strong belief that professional, resident artists will make San Diego a nationally-competitive destination arts scene, thus improving the quality of life for all people of San Diego County. Mo`olelo serves the diverse general public, from youth to seniors, with particular focus toward providing a forum for those who are typically underserved in mainstream American theatre.

Reviews for Moolelo Performing Arts Company

I am a retired high school math teacher with no experience in theater at any level although I do love to attend the theater. In 2004 I saw a play which included an actor that I found exceptional. The play was the Life Design of Jenny Chow and the actor was Seema Sueko. In the playbill there was a note about the actor starting a new performing arts company called Mo`olelo and if interested we could respond to an e-address that had been listed. I could hardly pronounce the name of the company but I e-mailed the artist an "got involved" in a new phase of my life. Seema is a work horse, non stop advocate of the arts, especially the performing arts. She was and still is determined that Mo`olelo will become a company that will out last those who have started it.

I have caught the "virus". It is almost impossible to be around this lady and not feel the energy that goes into her work. I have been the box office manager of some of the productions; I have help set the lights on other productions; I have helped strike the sets after most all productions and I have been on the board of trustees for almost 6 years. It has been a lot of work but I have said this many times. "I get more out of working with Mo`olelo than I give". It is amazing what one can "receive" from working for and with a group of people that has a mission which is renewed with each production. I am now the president of the board of trustees of Mo`olelo but due to board limits will go off the board at the end of this year. That will not keep me from supporting this company both with time and money for as long as it exists...and that will be for a long time to come. I have and will continue to work as a volunteer for this company because the energy of the board and others who volunteer for Mo`olelo feeds my will to continue. I truely believe that this small but growing company has a big future in the regional theaters of southern California and beyond. You would too if you knew our executive artistic director, Seem Sueko.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have been fortunate to see the board change and grow from 5 members to 9 at this time with the intent of growing to 12 by the end of 2011. We have had some drop from the board but they remain in support of the mission of the company and all of them do something in their area of expertize to contribute to the on going success of Mo`olelo. As I have said before working with Mo`olelo and it's board and volunteers is very contagious.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Mo`olelo's biggest problem is staff. I receive a monthly hourly time sheet from our one-person-staff, Seema. It is incredible the hours she works. Our growth limitations is based on the time one person can commit to the many facets of our program. We need more full time staff that is committed to the program. We are working on this problem.

I choose to support Mo'olelo because of the fine work they do with social issues of the day. My first play that was so thought provoking was about brain injury and the challenges to the family after traumatic brain injury occurs. I have a brain injured child and the play was right on with its message of coping. Mo'olelo's work It so good it should be shown nationally.
San Diego is lucky to have the theartre company with such well focused messages.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Mo`olelo is a Hawaiian word that means tale, legend, or story. As it's name implies this performing arts company goes well beyond performing. The productions are always linked to a social issue that inevitably gets rave reviews. Our board of trustees, by design, is composed of a diverse group ethnically, professionally and by age. Our artistic director, the heart and soul of Mo`olelo is our inspiration. Her ability to select and often perform in such dynamic productions in the past five years has made Mo`olelo a common name in San Diego and beyond in the art community. I might add that we are just getting started. This is a company that is on the move up and even a bad economy is not going away.
In the past two years we have added a "green theater" theme to our agenda. As a result we have been approached by other art companies concerned with how the theater can be more environmentally conscious.
Visiting or living in San Diego without seeing a Mo`olelo production is a real loss. See for yourself. Mo`olelo is special.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Groups who partner with Mo`olelo in relevant productions are inspired. i.e. Veterans-production-A Piece of My Heart; Brain Injury Foundation-production-Night Skies; Adoptees/those who adopted or gave up for adoption-production-Adoption Project Triad

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

There is no quality that I could add to what is organization is doing. We are only limited by resources. I would probably try to "clone" our artistic director. We could certainly use more like her.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

The people I have met are life long friends. As the oldest in the group it is encouraging to see the younger people working with the older ones with such acceptance. We all have something to offer toward our common goal. All of us believe in Mo`olelo

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

I believe I have already answered this question. The staff and volunteers is what this organization is. They are Mo`olelo and they are why Mo`olelo is so terrific.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Mo`olelo needs a home. We have to rent theater space for our productions. As a result we move around (gypsy company). It would be nice to have a home. But actually 10 million bucks could also hire a large staff for more frequent productions.

Ways to make it better...

We had more money. Obviously that would allow more productions and hiring more to help our one permanent staff memeber

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Fundraising in this economy is a challenge. I believe we are holding our own so to speak but it is a challenge.

One thing I'd also say is that...

Mo`olelo is here to stay. There is a committment to those involved. We have the right people who know how to plan, critique fiscal matters and select relevant productions that inspire patrons to support a worthy cause.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

As associate director of a three-school collaboration in a very diverse urbam community, I have worked with Mo'olelo for two years. Our goal has been to raise student achievement, improve motivation and expose students to the world of drama by linking theater-based programs to the schools' standards based curriculum. Mo'olelo has con- sistently provided excellent, well-managed programs that are sensitive to the needs of urban youths. The teaching artists understand how to respond to students from diverse language and ethnic groups and how to use these varied backgrounds to create meaningful learning experiences. Mo'olelo is resourceful and aggressive in seeking funding for schools in areas of high poverty. Leadership is professional, energetic and totally committed to helping urban youth overcome the adverse effects of poverty through arts experiences.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

likely transform the look of arts education in San Diego. Mo'olelo "gets it" and understands how to 1. seamlessly blend theater arts expereinces into the social studies & English curriculum, K through grade 12 2. create programs that appeal to urban kids.